Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustments out of AOCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	[1]	Oct. 01, 2016	[1]	Jul. 02, 2016	[1]	Apr. 02, 2016	[1]	Dec. 26, 2015	[1]	Sep. 26, 2015	[1]	Jun. 27, 2015	[1]	Mar. 28, 2015	[1]	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Reclassification Adjustments out of AOCI [Abstract]
Cost of goods sold																	$ (1,723,499)	$ (1,809,702)	$ (2,043,719)
Interest expense																	(7,387)	(7,667)	(5,740)
Selling, general, and administrative expense																	(137,499)	(130,358)	(131,740)
Income tax expense																	(48,137)	(43,382)	(45,479)
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	$ 17,322		$ 25,978		$ 27,797		$ 28,630		$ 14,435		$ 17,800		$ 33,651		$ 21,978		99,727	87,864	101,560
Noncontrolling interests																	27	543	974
Consolidated net income	$ 16,768	[2],[3]	$ 26,062	[3],[4]	$ 28,259	[3]	$ 28,665	[3]	$ 14,110	[5]	$ 18,095	[5],[6]	$ 33,862	[5],[7]	$ 22,340	[5]	99,754	88,407	102,534
Unrealized Losses on Derivatives [Member] | Amount Reclassified from AOCI [Member]
Reclassification Adjustments out of AOCI [Abstract]
Cost of goods sold																	1,061	4,486	328
Interest expense																	361	372	0
Income tax expense																	(113)	(1,310)	(61)
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.																	1,309	3,548	267
Noncontrolling interests																	0	0	0
Consolidated net income																	1,309	3,548	267
Amortization of Net Loss and Prior Service Cost on Employee Benefit Plans [Member] | Amount Reclassified from AOCI [Member]
Reclassification Adjustments out of AOCI [Abstract]
Selling, general, and administrative expense																	1,942	2,688	541
Income tax expense																	(521)	(719)	(72)
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.																	1,421	1,969	469
Noncontrolling interests																	0	0	0
Consolidated net income																	1,421	1,969	469
Loss Recognized Upon Sale of Business [Member] | Amount Reclassified from AOCI [Member]
Reclassification Adjustments out of AOCI [Abstract]
Gain on sale of assets																	0	0	5,999
Income tax expense																	0	0	0
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.																	0	0	5,999
Noncontrolling interests																	0	0	0
Consolidated net income																	$ 0	$ 0	$ 5,999

[1] The sum of quarterly amounts may not equal the annual amounts reported due to rounding. In addition, the earnings per share amounts are computed independently for each quarter, while the full year is based on the weighted average shares outstanding.

[2] Includes $3.8 million of pre-tax charges related to asset impairments.

[3] Includes income earned by Jungwoo-Mueller, acquired during Q2 2016.

[4] Includes $3.0 million of pre-tax charges related to asset impairments.

[5] Includes income earned by Turbotec, acquired during Q2 2015, Sherwood, acquired during Q2 2015, and Great Lakes, acquired during Q3 2015.

[6] During Q3 2015, the Company recorded a permanent adjustment to a deferred tax liability of $4.2 million.

[7] Includes $15.4 million pre-tax gain on sale of assets and $3.4 million of pre-tax charges related to severance.